Poem by William Schwenck Gilbert

Songs of a Savoyard. The Disagreeable Man

If you give me your attention, I will tell you what I am:
I’m a genuine philanthropist—all other kinds are sham.
Each little fault of temper and each social defect
In my erring fellow-creatures, I endeavour to correct.
To all their little weaknesses I open people’s eyes,
And little plans to snub the self-sufficient I devise;
I love my fellow-creatures—I do all the good I can—
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
                     And I can’t think why!

To compliments inflated I’ve a withering reply,
And vanity I always do my best to mortify;
A charitable action I can skilfully dissect;
And interested motives I’m delighted to detect.
I know everybody’s income and what everybody earns,
And I carefully compare it with the income-tax returns;
But to benefit humanity, however much I plan,
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
                     And I can’t think why!

I’m sure I’m no ascetic; I’m as pleasant as can be;
You’ll always find me ready with a crushing repartee;
I’ve an irritating chuckle, I’ve a celebrated sneer,
I’ve an entertaining snigger, I’ve a fascinating leer;
To everybody’s prejudice I know a thing or two;
I can tell a woman’s age in half a minute—and I do—
But although I try to make myself as pleasant as I can,
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
                     And I can’t think why!

1. The Bab Ballads. Sir Macklin
2. The Bab Ballads. Thomas Winterbottom Hance
3. The Bab Ballads. General John
4. The Bab Ballads. The Troubadour
5. The Bab Ballads. To the Terrestrial Globe

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